A look at health and wellbeing in Brighton and Hove secondary schools

Young Healthwatch Brighton and Hove carried out a consultation in 2018 to explore young people’s views on wellbeing, mental health and the Schools Wellbeing Service in secondary schools across the city. Working with three secondary schools, the project engaged more than 280 students through focus groups and interactive “Listening Lab” sessions. The aim was to understand what support young people knew about, what was working well and what could be improved.

A major theme was the importance of relationships and the school environment. Students said trusted teachers were often the first people they would approach when struggling, but many felt teaching staff lacked the time or capacity to notice when students were having difficulties. Young people also placed considerable importance on having safe, quiet and welcoming spaces within schools where they could relax, manage stress or seek support. Toilets, unused areas and isolated parts of school grounds were often identified as places vulnerable students spent time when they were struggling. 

Students also highlighted confusion about available mental health support. Awareness of wellbeing services varied considerably between schools, and many young people were unclear about where support was available, who provided it and what they could expect. Consistency was seen as important, with students feeling more confident about support located in fixed places and available at predictable times. Many also wanted mental health and wellbeing to be discussed more widely across the curriculum, rather than being limited to PSHE lessons. 

Young Healthwatch concluded that schools should make mental health support more visible, accessible and easier to understand. Recommendations included clearly communicating available wellbeing services, improving awareness of Primary Mental Health Workers and School Wellbeing Services, identifying and improving spaces where vulnerable students spend time, increasing promotion of school nursing support and exploring a wider range of approaches to emotional wellbeing, including creative activities, sport, self-help spaces and alternative ways for young people to express and manage their emotions.